The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-01-15

fore them. Right at Tibby's foot fell
the money, which she would have
passed unnoticed if Tosey had not ex-
claimed:
20, libby, there's a diner and
picked it up. libby clapped her hands
in delight, danced up and down. and
then looked into his hand, to see if it
was really there. 1t was surely.
won't We have hot potato.
thought said Tosey.
''And big roll. and butter. and some
meat; and just u very little piece OF pie. +"
libby named each one on the ends of
her fingers, but stopped when she got
to her thumb; for the money was all
gone by that tinse, aud the thumb was
quite large.
"But how did it come there9" asked
Tosey.
Gould it have growed?" suggested
Tibbv.
NO" said TOsey.
'1r fell from the skiesp"
''Guess not. said Tosey, obviously.
'Or been flunged?"
20, nor Tosoy, answered emphatic
ally.
They both looked hungrily at the
piece OF money, and began to count ts'-
gctbcr what lots of things they could
buy; and their faces grew bright indeed
as they thought of it.
From tho shade of the opposite side OF
the entrance, thin bundle of rags
slowly crept and unsteadily shuiiled up
to them. Out Of the dirt aud rags peer
ed thin face and glis,ening eyes. and
the hands of the small bundle wearily
rubbed themselves together. to try and
stir up the blood which was not there.
'Tnis is charity ball." said the thin
bundle. Those folks dance for the
poor" The glistening eyes looked eag-
erly at Tosey and libby. and frequently
glanced ut the money in their hands.
1--WE is poor. and they dances for us.
and for my mother, who is sick abed;
they dances to give US the bread which
we seldom has"
Tncy looked in surprise Mt the thin
bundle, rubbing and rubbing its hands.
for us. and ride in carriages. and give
lots of money. aud all for us?"
! Tie thin bundle rubbed faster and
/ faster.
"Yes, il there's any more than as pays
for the dancin' and drcssin'. and the
dancin' costs 80 apiece, and the dress
in'-O, | dunno! It's all for us--lf
there's any left"
'.But they didn't give us any when l
sang said Tlbby.
..Lors. no!' said the thin bundle;
''they think beggars don't need nothin'.
They has folks as hunt up poor folks
when they has time, and scws flannels
when they hasn't. Yes, they say they
does all this for u.s. but'-the bundle
shook its head as il it were doubtful, and
cOntinued:
Il stood over yondcr thinkin' some
bodyw ould give me sOmcthin'; but they
looked mad mt me. and went back in
ter the shadder and watched 'em. 1t
was big sight. but I'm just as hungry"
The hands stopped rubbing, and the
eyes looked wet rs the bundle added:
''My mother is very. very sick. o. wc's
poor-so pOor!'
Tosey looked at his little sister as the
rags began to shuttle away.
libby" said he, 1--WE does not feel
so awful hungry?"
Tlbby hesitated. She looked &. the
silver, and then at the slowly retreatng
figure, and then she looked up into
Tosey's loving face.
mo, Tosey; dunno rs does"
Tosey turned around, and. running
after the departing figure, handed her
the piece of money.
..fhere." said he, ''take it; you need
it more than we does"
The bundle looked in surprise as she
took the piece, and tears fell down the
cheeks of the pale, thin face But she
only said: I'm very grateful" and
walked Off
The two little musicians watched the
figure as it disappeared in the darkness.
while the happy shuttle OF the feet grew
fainter and fainter. Ah, here was char
ity, god-Iike charity, in the hearts OF
the beings the rich despised aud thrust
from their door!
As the Cold Night turned toward Kit
", he found her silently wiping her
eyes.
do you see what true charity ise"
he asked, in q sweet, sympathetic voice.
Yes. yes" murmured Kitty, Il see.
/ see"
While they were talking. they had
slowly risen up. up to the brilliant win
dows again.
1t was the most brilliant hour of the
ball. Lights from myriads Of jets i'm.
bcdded in crystal chandeliers sparkled
with jewels. and silks and laces were
gathered in merry groups or joining In
pleasurable dance 10 the strains Of sweet
and lively music 1t was . beautiful
sight indeed; but somehow the people
looked heartless to Kitty. and the jewels
elittered spitefully, while the rich silk
seemed to hiss and hiss ~ they rustled
along, as II al were rebellinR againsl
their false use.
..But one moro act" said the Cold
Night, gently leading her down. down
to the opposite side Of the street
From 4 dark corner with their arms
tvined about each Others neck. the two |
little bexRax. watched the windows Of
the brilliantly y-llghsed hallway up 10
the skv It seemed thu gay fig |
uree that frequently appeared in rich.
dainty dresses. and smiled to think Il
vas III for tho poor and needy
s<TsA~w N~nnn hne N and fnP NnkhafaU